Wall plate switches and accessories in bathrooms.

[sjm]

Just wanted to get your thoughts please guys.

The title says it all really. Current job I'm on customer wants wall mounted light dimmer switches, 2 x FSU's supplying underfloor heating prammer/stat and electric towel rail timer. All will be mounted outside of zone 2 at least 1.2 meters away from zone 1. BS7671 seems to allow this, so I can't see a reason not to do it. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Steve

 

[BlueToBits]

512.2.1 which basically says equipment must be suitable for it's environment. In a bathroom this is likely to be, at best, condensing steam & high humidity levels, and could also be water splashes, shower sprays, operation by wet body parts etc. If the equipment is designed to withstand such influences, it could be installed in a bath/shower room outside of zone 2 providing all other requirements are also met.

 

[AdamG1991]

I pretty much agree with what BlueToBits says it is allowed by bs7671 just make sure the equipment has good ip ratings.

 

[morph]

dimmer in a damp room, that wont last long

 

[morph]

outside of zones no actual IP rating req just general rules apply which take you back to the reg Bluetobits has provided

 

[malcolmsanford]

I always wondered how the last part of regulation 701.132.1 should be interpreted, where a bath or shower is sited in the corner of a room.

" For electrical equipment in parts of walls and ceilings, limiting the zones specified in Reg 701.32.2 to 701.32.4, but being part of the surface of that wall or celing, the requirements for the respective zones apply"

Then look at the placement of those pieces of equipment, and where they are going to be fitted.

 

[sjm]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Quick update for information. Contacted NICEIC helpline about this and they see no problems with it.
TBH both rooms have shower cubicles so no problem with sprays. One room has a bath, but at 1.2 mts away from the edge you'd have to be bathing a baby elephant for splashes to reach the switches surely?
Humidity might be a problem but I will be fitting good extraction 47 lts/sec operated with the lights and 15 min run on.